The Effects of Peppermint Oil on the Ventilatory Threshold of Endurance-Trained and Moderately Active Men

Abstract

Peppermint oil (mentha piperita) has been shown to have cooling effects in animals and humans, as well as beneficial influences on pulmonary function tests possibly due to bronchodilatory mechanisms. PURPOSE:To determine whether a single supplementation of one milliliter of peppermint oil would raise the ventilatory threshold in endurance-trained and moderately active men. METHODS:Six male participants (3 endurance-trained, 3 moderately active) performed two maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) tests on a cycle ergometer under randomized, single-blind trials of peppermint oil and placebo. For each exercise test, ventilatory threshold was determined through the ventilatory equivalent method (VE/VO2 and VE/VCO2 vs. time), ventilation method (VE vs. time), and the VCO2 vs. VO2 method to validate the point at which the ventilatory threshold occurred. RESULTS:Supplementation of peppermint oil resulted in the ventilatory threshold occurring at a significantly higher percentage of VO2max compared to placebo (71 ± 2 % of VO2max vs. 65 ± 2 % of VO2max, p < .05). Additionally, VO2max values were not different between the two conditions. CONCLUSIONS:Peppermint oil supplementation may have a positive impact on the ventilatory threshold of both endurance-trained and moderately active men by raising the percentage of VO2max at which the ventilatory threshold occurs. Though further research is needed to determine the mechanism, it appears that the cooling and the smooth muscle relaxing properties of peppermint oil may acutely contribute to improved aerobic performance.